Doha, Qatar: Brazil and Portugal headline today's FIFA U-17 World Cup semi-finals in Doha, a meeting of two continental champions with everything on the line.

Portugal continue their chase for a first-ever U-17 world title, while Brazil look to edge closer to a record-equalling fifth trophy.

Kick-off is at 19:00.

Portugal's creative spark Mateus Mide remains central to their hopes, with four goals and two assists so far. Intelligent, sharp and decisive in tight spaces, he was on target again in the 2-0 quarter-final win over Switzerland.

Brazil, however, lean on the tournament's most feared finisher: Dell, whose power and precision have drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland. His brace against Morocco took him to five goals, firmly placing him in the Golden Boot race.

Brazil will have to cope without suspended trio Vitor Hugo, Luis Eduardo and Arthur Ryan, though coach Dudu Patetuci brings experience – he was assistant coach during Brazil's 2019 triumph.

His counterpart, Bino, carries history of his own, having been part of Portugal's squad the last time they reached this stage back in 1989.

Unbeaten Austria and Italy battle for a first-ever final

Earlier at 16:30, Austria and Italy meet in a showdown between two teams that have won all six of their matches so far – an unprecedented run that has brought both nations to the brink of their first U-17 World Cup final.

Austria's talisman Johannes Moser has taken Qatar 2025 by storm with six goals, making him joint-top scorer. Captain Jakub Pokorny couldn't hide his admiration, calling Moser“just incredible... like something I haven't seen before.”

Their momentum is fierce, having swept past England before surviving a gruelling quarter-final against Japan.

“It was the toughest match we ever played in our lives,” Pokorny admitted.“Japan is a very good team... but we are together and I feel like nobody can stop us. I think we can go all the way.”

Italy, disciplined and composed, have been anchored by captain Luca Reggiani, a defender who has put in three consecutive Player-of-the-Match displays in the knockout rounds. Calm and commanding, he is Italy's heartbeat. Suspensions, however, hit both sides: Ifeanyi Ndukwe for Austria and David Marini for Italy.

“We know that they are a very good team,” Reggiani said.“The fact that they are in the semi-finals says it all. But we're going to work hard to prepare... and keep pushing ourselves. We're really looking forward to it.”

Austria are also chasing national history - no Austrian team, at any age level, has ever reached a World Cup final. Italy bring their own storylines too, including the background of rising star Samuele Inacio, whose Brazilian father Pia played professionally for clubs such as Atalanta, Napoli and Torino.

Today's winners will advance to Thursday's final at Khalifa International Stadium, setting the stage for one more chapter in a tournament that has already delivered drama, discovery and a new generation of global stars.

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